OEM software licence

[Mystified]

Ebay sellers offer oem software sealed, unused with licences & COA.

I bought some & 2 days later received a card from Bill Gates saying that there are only 2 legal ways to get an OEM licence or full packaged products (without saying waht they are) and that OEM licences live & die with each PC & are not transferrable.

What is my position? Have I wasted my money? Am I at risk of prosecution?

[OBonio]

As long as you have a valid license key, you are fine.  If they do come after you, then direct them towards the ebay auctioneer.  I'm sure they'll be more interested in his/her dealings.

[slimfandango]

wrong and wrong.

[rojash]

There are two completely different types of OEM licence. One is not tied to any specific piece of hardware, and may be legally purchased and used as long as it's purchased with a hardware item (this can even include a power cord). The other type is specifically tied to the computer (e.g Dell, HP, Fujitsu, whatever). The first type is much more common (at least in the UK) and is as supplied by all the small "build to order" type dealers. If you have the first type, you don't have a problem. If you have the second, you will know, as it will almost ceratainly refuse to install once it recognises that you have the wrong type of hardware.

[rojash]

Sorry, just to be clear "If you have the first type, you don't have a problem. "
That is to say, you don't have a problem legally or technically. Even if you didn't buy a piece of hardware, then it's the seller not you who is breaking the terms of the MS agreement. If you're REALLY worried about it, send the seller the cost of a power cord, and if he fails to supply it - well that's not your problem is it?

In the second instance, you don't need to worry about the legality as you won't be able to use the product anyway!